Loose-leaf binder



Dec. 19, 1933. F. w. METZGER LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Sept. 12, 1932 INVENTOR 2? W11 BYMd i,

ATTORNEY 5 Patented Dec. 19, 1933 LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Fred W. Metzger, Los Angeles, Calif.. assignorof one-half to Henry Beck, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application September 12, 1932 SerialNo. 632,712

6 Claims, (01. 129-36) I a plurality of unpunched leaves and secure the sameagainst removal, and which is easily opened to allow of removal of one or more of said leaves. The present invention is particularly adaptable for use as a stock-binder or any other form of.

post binder wherein a relatively large number of leaves are kept in a single binder and wherein it is necessary to remove, replace or add leaves at rather frequent intervals. In this case, where the conventional form of postbinder is used, it is necessary to remove the leaves above the point where a new leaf is to be inserted, punch the new leaf, place it over the posts, and then replace the removed leaves over the posts, which latter operation usually requires considerable time and patience for the reason that the punch holes in the leaves must be kept in relative alignment in order to fit over the posts.

According to the present invention, the leaves are not punched, and when it is desired to remove a plurality of leaves from the binder, the binder may be loosened, and the desired number of leaves removed bodily, a new leaf inserted, and the removed leaves replaced bodily.

Further, leaves may be removed from, replaced in or'new leaves added to thelloose-leaf binder of the present invention by loosening said binder, placing it on its rearward end with the sheets held vertically, inv which position, any one or a number of leavesmay be withdrawn or inserted, without disturbing the neighboring leaves. M

A-further object of the present invention is to provide a loose leaf binder which may be constructed at a much lower cost than other types ofbinders of comparable utility.

providea loose-leaf binder of the character above described, provided with a solid-back construction, whereby full protection is afforded to the bound ends of the leaves in said binder,

In its essentials, the device of the present invention may comprise a pair of elongated'clamp members between which a plurality of sheets of paper may be secured, said clamp members being preferably provided with a plurality of projections or points on their opposingly disposed surfaces adapted to press into the sheets or leaves and hold the same against lateral displacement, and

means securing said clamp members in clamping relation. V

The device may further comprise one or a plurality of alignment members adapted to be inserted in positionbetween said clamp members at intervals between groups of theleaves, said alignment members being preferably provided with projections or points in the same manner as are the clamp members, whereby com plete placement and securing of the leaves is obtained when the aforesaid clamp members are brought in. clamping relation by means of said securing means.

The upper or lower clamp member and the aforesaid alignment members are also preferably provided with positioning means such as vertically extending shoulders disposed along the rearward edge thereof, whereby the individual leaves or groups of leaves. may be positioned within the binderin relative alignment with one another and with the binder.

The device may further comprise a construction in which the upper'and lower clamp members are provided with cooperating shoulder means at their respective rearward edges, adapted to overlap and form a substantially continuous back for the binder, and the alignment members above-men- .tioned may also be provided with shoulder means cooperating with the aforementioned shoulder means on the upper and lower clamp members, whereby, when one .or a plurality of said alignment members are in use in, the binder, a substantially continuous fsolid-back. is provided for said binder.

The accompanying drawing illustrates embodiments of my invention, and referring thereto;

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a simple form of binderofthe present invention, taken on line 1-1 in Fig. 3, with the alignment strips shown in dot-and-dash position, and the paper leaves 5 omitted; A further, object of the present invention is to n Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof, with the leaves broken away;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof, showing but a few leaves in place, and the upper portion of Fig. 4a is a transverse sectional detail thereof 5 taken on line 4a 4q; in Fig. 4;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of a modi- ;fied form of the invention taken at a position corresponding to that shown at Lrx in Fig. 1

showing a plurality of leaves and one alignment strip in position;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 5, but taken at a position corresponding to that shown at wa: in Fig. 1, showing the binder under compression;

Fig. 'l is a similar view of a further modified form of the invention, taken on line 7--'l in Fig. 8;

Fig. 8 is a rearward end elevation of the form of invention shown in Fig. '7, taken on line 88 therein;

Fig. 9 is a perspective detail of the'form of alignment strip used in the form of device shown in Figs. 7 and 8;

Fig. 10 is a detail, in perspective, of a form of sectional screw-post which may be used with the present invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawing, the device of the present invention may comprise upper and lower clamp-members 1 and 2,; said lower clamp-member 2 being provided with screw-posts 3 at opposite ends thereof, and said clamp-member 1 being provided with bores 30. corresponding to the position of said posts whereby'said clamp-member may be placed on said posts in the position shown, in which position said clamp members and said posts serve to define a substantially unobstructed leaf-receiving space into which the edge 'portionof one or a.

plurality of unpunched leaves may be inserted. The device is provided with clamp-nuts ion the upper ends of said screw-posts, said screw-posts and said clamp-nuts comprising compression means for forcing the clamp-member 1 downwardly toward the clamp-member 2. The form of nut shown in the drawing is of the type adapted to grasp the threads on the screwpost only when actually forced into engagement with the clamp-member 1, and adapted to release said threads when backed away a short distance from said clamp-member. This is a conventional form of clutch' nut and is particularly adaptable to the present invention, but it will be understood that any form of wing-nut, or the like maybe used for the purpose.

The clamp-member 1 is preferably provided with a reinforcing web 10. extending along the upper edge thereof, whereby the rigidity of said member is made proportional to the stress applied thereto in the binding operation. The screwposts 3 are preferably spacedsufliciently apart to allow for insertion of the paper leaves therebetween, as shown in Fig. 2. g

The lower clamp-member 2 is preferably provided with a shoulder 2a extending along the rearward end thereof, the forward face of said shoulder being preferably disposed slightly rearwardly of the rearward edge of the upper clamp member 1, and adapted to receive the ends of the leaves, as shown particularly in Figs. 3 and 5, and align'the same. This shoulder 2ais preferably provided with a plurality of notches 21) adapted to receive the depending lugs 60 of the alignment strip 6 disposed immediately above the lower clamp-inember 2, as shown in dot-anddash lines in Fig.1. The alignment strips 6, shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 4a, are preferably formed from a single piece of relatively'thin metal, such as steel, aluminum or the like, provided with an upwardly bent shoulderjportion 6a having a plurality of notchesfib correspond ng, in number'and position .to the notches 2b in the shoulder 2a, the metal from the notches 61: being bent downwardly to form a plurality of projections or lugs 60, above mentioned.

While the form shown in the drawing is provided with an upwardly extending shoulder on the lower clamp-member and on the alignment strip, it'will be understood that downwardly extending shoulders may be provided on the upper clamp-member and the alignment strips, respectively, if so desired.

The upper wall of the clamp-member 2 and the lower wall of the clamp-member 1 are preferably provided with a plurality of pointed leafengaging projections 20 and 1?) respectively, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, which are adapted to "engage the paper leaves adjacent said clampmembers and hold the same against lateral dis placement or forcible removal when the binder is in binding position.

The method of use of the above described form of binder may be substantially asfollows: With the upper clamp-member removed from the posts 3, or in'a raised position such as shown in full lines in Fig. 3, one or' a plurality of leaves A may be placed in position on the lower clamp-member 2, between the posts 3, and with their ends abutting the shoulder 2a. The upper clamp-member l is then lowered into the position shown in dot and-dash lines at '1 and the screw-nuts 4 turned to force said clamp-member downwardly against the leaves A. When the clamp-members arethus brought in this position the body portions of said members will bear against said leaves, and the pointed projections 11) and 20 will be forced into tight engagement with the leaves immediately adjacent said clamp-members. I prefer to stagger the position of said pointed projections, so that, for example, a'projection 20 will fall between two projections lb, as shown in Fig. 1, this arrangement providing very secure holding'of the leaves.

It is particularly pointed out that the pro jections 1b and 2c are primarily adapted to effect a holdingaction On the leaves by providing a plurality of points of increased compression along the clamp-members, wherehy lateral displacementjof said leaves is prevented when under such compression. It will be understood that these 7 projections do not necessarily perforate and extend through the secured leaves, but serve to provide points of compression intensification.

Leaves may be added to the binderuntil the thickness thereof equals the verticalheight of the shoulder 2a,"at which time I prefer to remove the clamp-member 1 and slipone of th alignment strips 6 over the posts 3, said strips being provided with a bore 3b at each end thereof in properly spaced relation. The bores 3b are preferably formed in a sleeve or hub so that the strips 6 are made readily slidable up and down the screw-p 3sts 3, without catching in the threads thereof.v The alignment strips 6 are preferably also provided with downwardly and upwardly 'projecting points 6d, each of said points being preferably formed by punching the metal'strip so as to make a projection on one side and a depression Gd? on the other side, and the member 1 is also preferablyprovided with a recess 1b disposed opposite each of the upwardly projecting points on a member or element therebelow, so that, when. the strips are in place in the binder, after the manner shown in Figs. 5 and 6, an upwardly projecting pointfid on a strip 6 will into a recess lb in the upper clamp-member 1 (Fig. 5), and a downwardly projecting point 129 the leaves within said binder.

on the upper clamp-member 1 will fit into a recess or depression 6d in the strip 6 (Fig. 6).

The-above-mentioned alignment strips may be placed in position on the screw-posts 3 afterthe manner shown'in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 1, or as shown in full lines in Figs. 5 and 6. When the alignment strips are placedin such position (it being understood that these alignment strips are added one at a time, as the thickness of the accumulated paper leaves require the same) the lugs 60 will fit in the slots 2b, the leavesA (Fig. 5) abutting in part against the shoulder Za'and in part against the lugs 60, so that the rearward ends of said leaves are properly aligned in the binder. Fig. 5 shows the leaves insertedas above described, and with the alignment strip in loose engagement with the pile of leaves. With the binder in this condition, it may be picked up, turned so that the rearward edge is held downwardly, and tapped or jarred against any suitable surface, such as a table top, whereby the leaves are settled into position. The screws 4 may then be turned downwardly so as to bring the binder under compression, as shown in Fig. 6. Upon occasion that it is desired to remove or insert leaves, the binder is loosened, turned, and the rearward edge laid along a table top or the like, as above described, the desired leaves removed or inserted, and the binder tightened up. It is apparent that when the binder is loosened, the leaf engaging projections no longer subject the leaves to compression, and hence do not interfere in any way with the insertion or removal of leaves.

The form of .device shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is,

similar in all major respects to the formofdevice first-described, but is shown as provided with a bottom backing-board 7, to which the. lower clamp-member 2 may be secured in any suitable manner, as by means of a plurality of screws 8. This backing-board may extend laterally and longitudinally of the clamp-means to any desired extent, dependent upon the requirements .of a particular need.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9 I have shown an alternative form of the device of the present invention, which differs from the forms of device above described in providing a substantially closed rear wall or back for the binder, whereby the appearance of said binder is materially improvedyand protection is provided to vthe rearward ends of This last form of device is also shown as provided with a hinged upper cover, secured to the upper clamp-member, but it will be understood that this hinged cover is not peculiar to this form of invention, it being equally adaptable to either of the above-described forms of invention, or may, if desired, be eliminated from the present described form.

The present described form of binder may comprise a backing-board 11 to which is secured in any suitable manner a lower clamp-member 12 provided with a rearward shoulder 12a and two screw-posts 13 provided and disposed on said member after the manner of the posts 3abovedescribed, an upper clamp-member 14, screw nuts 15, and one or more removable alignment strips 16. The lower clamp-member 12 is provided with a plurality of slots 12b located in the shoulder 12a said slots extending downwardly from the upper edge of said shoulder after the manner of the slots 22: shown in Fig. 1, and are preferably three in number, appropriately spaced along the length of said member. The upper clamp-member 14 is provided with a rearward depending I The lugs 146 preferably projectforwardly a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the shoulder 12a, whereby the forward edge of said lugs are in substantially vertical alignment with the forward face of the shoulder 12a, against which the ends of the leaves A may abut and be aligned.

The alignment strips (but one of these strips being shown in Figs"? and 8) are preferably formed as shown in detail at 16 in Fig. 9 and may comprise a strip of metal provided with an upwardly extending shoulder 16a and a downwardly extending shoulder 1622, said upwardly extending shoulder being provided with a plurality of notches or slots 160 after the manner of the shoulder 12a and the downwardly extending shoulder 16b being provided with a plurality of forwardly extending lugs 16d after the manner of the shoulder 14a. The strip 16 is also provided with a screw-post receiving bore at each end thereof, as shown at lfie said bores being preferably formed in a sleeve or hub 16f after the manner of the bores 3b provided in the abovedescribed strip 6. i

The respective shoulders on the clamp-members and the alignment strips are so disposed that, as the clamp-member 14 is brought downwardly against a plurality of leaves A", the forward faces of the shoulders 14a and 162) are in substantial alignment with the rearward faces of the shoulders 16a and 12a, respectively, with the lugs 14b fitting into the slots 16c and the lugs 16d fitting into the slots 12b, forming a substantially solid back for the binder as shown. The upper clamp-member 14 may be provided, if desired, with a forwardly extending portion 140 to which is hingedly secured, as at 17, a cover member18. This construction provides for protecting the bound papers on the bottom, back and top sides, after the manner of the-conventional form of binder. It will be understood that the clamp-members and thealignment strips in the present described form of the invention may be provided with projecting'paper-holding points such as shown at 1?), 2c and 6d in the first-described form of the invention, if desired. .Fig. 10 illustrates a form of sectional screwpostBA, formed of a plurality of sectional ele- 'ments 3A, which may advantageously be used in place of the screw-posts 3 or 13, whereby any desired height of binder may be obtained, merely by addition of elements 3A to the screw-posts whereby the clamping means is extended to the desired degree, additional alignment strips being used after the manner above described. According to the'form of binder desired, the strips 6 and 16 may be made with shoulders of such length as to accommodate approximately 200 leaves of average thickness before an additional strip is required.

I have used a binder, made after the firstdescribed form of the present invention, to ac: commodate in excess of 1,000 leaves of average thickness, and, when sectional screw-posts are used therein, the extent to which the binder may be enlarged to accommodate additional leaves is limited only by the'weight and bulkiness assumed thereby. The most important feature of the present invention, in the eye of a prospective user of the device, lies in the fact that a binder, containing for example 800 leaves, may be loosened and 600 of the leaves removed bodily, a single leaf inserted, and the removed leaves replaced bodily, and thebinder tightened up, or that the clamping means may be loosened and the desired leaves removed or inserted as above described, without disturbing the adjacent leaves.

I comprehend that numerous modifications oi the essential conception of the present invention may be made by those famliar with the art, and I in no sense limit my invention to the specific forms described. For example, the slots 22) and the lugs may be omitted from the lower clamp-member and the alignment strips, respectively, inthe first form of the. device, or, in the last-described form of the device the upper clamp-member 14 may be made-after the manner of the upper clamp-member l and the. shoulder 14?; provided on a separate alignment strip, or the like,

1. A loose-leaf binder comprising upperand lower clamp members, compression means disposed adjacent the lateral extremities of said clamp members for forcing said members toward one another, and an alignment member disposed between said upper and lower clamp members and extending parallel thereto, said alignment member being provided with vertically extending shoulder means along the rearward edge thereof in position for aligning engagement by the ends of leaves clamped in said binder.

2. A loose-leaf binder comprising upper, and

' lower clamp members, compression means. disposed adjacent the lateral extremities of said clamp members for forcing'said members toward one another, upwardly extending shoulder means on the rearward edges of said lower clamp member positioned rear-wardly of the rearward edge of said upper clamp member, an alignment-member removably disposedbetween said upper and lower clamp members and extending parallel thereto, said alignment member being provided withupwardly extending shoulder means along the rear-.

ward edge thereof in alignment with the aforesaid shoulder means, said first-named shoulder means being provided with a plurality of 'verti eally extending slots disposed at intervals along the length thereof, and said alignment member being provided with a plurality of depending lugs clamp members; compression means disposedad jacent the lateral extremities of said clamp members for forcing said members toward one another, vertically extending shoulder means on the rearward edge of each of said clamp members in overlapping relation to one another, one of said should er'means being provided with a plurality of vertically extending slots disposed at intervals along the length thereof, the other of said shoulder means being provided with projecting lugs positioned in verticalalignment with said slots, said one shoulder means and the lugs of said other shoulder means comprising alignment means for engagement of the ends of leaves clamped in said binder.

4. The invention set forth in claim 3, and comprising in addition, an alignment member removably disposed between said clamp members and extending parallel thereto, said alignment member being provided with upwardly and downwardly extending shoulder means adapted to overlap the shoulder means on the upper and lower clamp members respectively and provided with projecting lugs and with slots adapted for engagement with the slots and lugs espectively or the shoulder means on said clamp members.

5. A loose-leaf binder for securing a plurality of unpunched leaves, comprising, upper and lower clamp members, compression means disposed adjacent the lateral extremities of said clamp members for forcing said clamp members toward one another, downwardly extending shoulder means on said upper clamp member and upwardly extending shoulder means on said lower clamp member, said first-named shoulder means being spaced rearwardly of said second-named shoulder means and in overlapping relation thereto, said last-named shoulder means being provided with a plurality of upwardly extending slots disposed at intervals along the length thereof and said firstnamed shoulder means being provided with a plurality of forwardly projecting lugs positioned in vertical alignment with said slots.

6'. The invention set forth in claim 5, and comprising in addition, an alignment 7 member removablydisposed between said. upper and lower clamp members and extending parallel thereto, said alignment member'being provided with upwardly and downwardly extending shoulder meansadapted to overlap the shoulder means on the upper and lower clamp members respectively and provided with projecting lugsand with slots adapted for engagement with the slots and lugs respectively of the shoulder means on said clamp members.

FRED W. ME'IZGER. 

